Range Map

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1

Tank-dry, where fuel runs out at catalogue's stored cruise burn.

Excludes reserves: range beyond the dashed circle requires a leaner cruise than what we store. Great-circle, still air, book cruise. Estimates only: always verify against the POH.

Payload vs. Range

Occupants:

Fuel on board

Cargo

nm

Range

Cargo is additional payload after occupants and baggage.
full tanks
Available Range / nm
Mission capable. This load flies with full fuel.
Fuel reduced by . left aboard for nm range.
Over max payload by . At this load it cannot lift a single occupant.

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Mission Profile

MOSAIC Eligible
In production Aircraft available new or used
150
KTAS
Cruise Speed
724
nm
Max Range
16,400
ft
Service Ceiling
4
Occupants
550
lbs
Wet Payload
Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star (D-EWWG), an AvGas Lycoming-powered example of the four-seat Diamond Star line. Photo: Alan Wilson, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star (D-EWWG), an AvGas Lycoming-powered example of the four-seat Diamond Star line. Photo: Alan Wilson, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Estimated Ownership Costs

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About the Diamond Star DA40

Type certificated 2000

Overview

The Diamond DA40, marketed as the Diamond Star and sold today as the DA40 XLT, is the AvGas-powered version of Diamond’s four-seat composite single, in production since 2000. It pairs the 180-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-M1A with the DA40’s glider-derived wing, bubble canopy, and T-tail. Earlier gasoline variants were sold as the DA40-180, DA40 XL, and DA40 XLS; all share type certificate EASA.IM.A.022 (JAR-23 normal category).

Choose the AvGas DA40 over the diesel Diamond DA40 NG when you want simpler, cheaper engine maintenance, stronger climb, and operation where 100LL is the everyday fuel rather than Jet-A. It competes directly with the Cirrus SR20 as a premium composite trainer-tourer and undercuts it on price, while offering a more modern airframe and better visibility than a Cessna 172 Skyhawk or Piper Archer. It is the entry point to the Diamond piston line below the twin-engine Diamond DA42 Twin Star.

Key Features for GA Buyers

  • Proven Lycoming power. The 180 hp IO-360-M1A is a simple, widely-supported AvGas engine with a 2,000-hour TBO and a deep parts and overhaul network.
  • Strong climb, honest cruise. About 1,120 fpm sea-level climb and roughly 150 KTAS cruise from a fixed-gear single.
  • Glass flight deck. Garmin G1000-based avionics with a two-axis autopilot on the XL, XLS, and XLT models.
  • Safety and visibility. The composite airframe, large canopy, and docile 49-knot landing stall give it an excellent safety record and all-round visibility.

Trade-offs

  • AvGas cost and supply. 100LL is pricier than Jet-A across much of the world and carries a long-term lead-phaseout question the diesel NG sidesteps.
  • Payload with full fuel. A useful load near 850 lb leaves roughly 550 lb of cabin payload with all 50 gallons aboard.
  • Fixed gear. Simple and cheap, but it caps cruise against retractable competitors.
  • Cabin access. The step-over canopy entry is awkward for less-mobile passengers.

See Also

Featured in our buying guides

Technical Specifications

Dimensions & Weights

Wingspan 39 ft
Height
6 ft
Length
26 ft
Parking area (ft²2)
1,538 ft²
Max Takeoff Weight
2,646 lbs
Max Landing Weight
2,535 lbs
Useful Load
850 lbs
Fuel Capacity
Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 50 gal

Performance

Cruise Speed
Source: third-party reference 150 KTAS
Never-Exceed (VNE)
Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 178 KIAS
Max Structural Cruise (VNO)
Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 129 KIAS
Approach Speed
66 KIAS
Stall, Clean (VS1)
Source: manufacturer figure 52 KIAS
Range
Source: third-party reference 724 NM
Service Ceiling
16,400 ft
Rate of Climb
1120 fpm
Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
1,700 ft
Landing over 50 ft obstacle
2,093 ft

Engine

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Sources

Where the figures on this page come from. Diamond Star DA40 specifications are traced to published references; estimated values are flagged inline next to the figure.

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